Peedeick monies



F. MONIER.

(No Model.)

BRIDLE BIT.

Patepted Feb. 15, 1387.

I [NI/H1703 Fred/rick Mania? WITNESSES:

nrromvfis UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE,

FREDRIOK MONIER, OF NEWARK, NEW JERSEY.

BRlDLE-BIT.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 357,683, dated February 15, 1887.

Application filed August 13, 1886. Serial No. 210,764. No model.)

enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to improvements in bits, particularly those known as Mexican bits, and refers more specifically to the mouth piece thereof, the object of the invention be ing to secure greater strength in the said mouth-piece, and at the same time to provide a more powerful bit, which gives to the rider more perfect control over the horse, because of the increased leverage afforded by the pe culiar construction of the bit.

Figure 1 in the drawingsillustrates the construction of the improved bit, and Figs. 2 and 3 are detail views of the link or port.

In said view A and A indicate the cheekpieces, and a a the side portions of the mouthpiece. Between said side portions of the mouth-piece is a link, projecting on each side of theline of the portions to a, forming rounded projections 11 1). Within the longer ofsaid projections a roller, 0, may be arranged, as shown. The said link is preferably cast or wrought integrally with the side portions of the mouthpiece. By thus extending the link oppositely on each side of the side portions much greater leverage is obtained, both of said projections engaging with the inside of the mouth of the horse, the longer projection, b, striking the roof of the mouth, and the projection b thelower part thereof. lhus a double purchase or leverage is secured, which gives to the rider much greater control of the horse than can otherwise be obtained. The said oppositely-projecting portions 1) b may lie in the same plane, as indicated in Figs. 1 and 2, or the shorter projection, b, may be bent downward, as in Fig. 3, to give greater power to the bit. 7

I am fully aware that bits have been devised having a solid plate extending oppositely in a straight line on each side of. the mouth-piece. Such a construction is shown in Patent to Roberts, No. 31,557, and to such I waive all claim therein, only suflicient metal being left to se-" cure the requisite strength. This construction is advantageous in that it enables a roller,'c, to be arranged therein, which eases the mouth of the horse; and, furthermore, theopening permits the saliva to moisten thetongue of the horse, whereas the solid plate prevents the free access of the saliva thereunder, and in consequence the tongue is liable to become parched and sore.

I 'am also aware that amouth-piece for abit provided with oppositely-projecting portions having an opening therein is shown in the Patent No. 345,051; but the said opening is very much larger than the opening (1 in my improved mouthpiece, being about the width of the tongue of a horse, and is intended to prevent the protruding or lolling of the horses tongue, while the opening din my mouth-piece is only wide enough to receive the roller 0, being long and narrow, and to permit the free flow of the saliva under the port, as above mentioned.

As will be evident,the mouth-piece may be inserted in the cheek-pieces, so that the bent portion 1) may incline upward or downward, according to the disposition of the horse by whom the bit is to be used, some requiring all the power that can be brought to bear in the mouth to restrain themfor instance, mustangs, for whom the bit is principally intended-while others can be held with much less power, but yet require more purchase than is provided by the portion b of the portalone. With an unruly horse the portion 1) may be bent, as is indicated in Fig. 3, to act most positivel y, while with a comparatively gentlehorse the same mouth-piece may be used; but the same is inserted in the cheek-pieces in such a manner that the bent portion inclines upward,

commodating itself to the conformation of the mouth of the horse, which permits the use of the long portion, 1), striking against the hard roof thereof, securing thereby the increased leverage without any injury resulting therefrom. As the short portion, 1), lies directly upon the tongue but little force is necessary to secure the desired pressure; hence a long projection beneath the month-piece is inj urions. and is liable to make the tongue sore.

Having thus described my invention, I desire to claim the following:

1. In a bit, a mouth-piece provided with a port formed integrally therewith, consisting of the long and short portions, 1) b, projecting oppositely from said mouth-piece and provided with a long narrow opening, (I, therein, for the purposes set forth.

2. In a bit, a month-piece provided with a port formed integrally therewith, projecting 2o oppositely on each side of and at right angles to said mouth-piece and provided with an opening, d, therein,one of said oppositelyprojecting portions of the port, as b,being bent at an angle to the other of said oppositely-projecting por- 25 tions, as b, said portion 1) being provided with a collar or wing, 0, arranged in the opening therein,substantial1y as and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my 0 hand this 11th day of August, 1886.

FREDRICK MONIER.

\Vitnesses:

FREDK. F. CAMPBELL, FREDK. O. FRAENTZEL. 

